Author Archives: skeptvet

Cell Phones Are Good for You!

Posted on January 10, 2010 by skeptvet

The question of whether the electromagnetic radiation from cell phones is a risk factor for human disease, especially brain cancer, has been debated and studied at length. There are committed partisans on both sides, but the research is inconsistent and … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Nutrition in Large Breed Puppies

Posted on January 10, 2010 by skeptvet

It is widely known by veterinarians, pet owners, and dog breeders that large breed puppies are at greater risk than other breeds for developmental disorders of the bones and joints, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), and hypertrophic … Continue reading →

Posted in Nutrition | 13 Comments

Big CAM and Getting Bigger

Posted on January 1, 2010 by skeptvet

I’ve pointed out before that despite the David and Goliath myth CAM proponents often market, that CAM is big business. A study in July, 2009 from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) reaffirms this. With all the … Continue reading →

Nutraceuticals & Cognitive Dysfunction–An Update

Posted on December 30, 2009 by skeptvet

Back in September, I reviewed the evidence (or lack thereof) supporting claims of benefits from nutraceuticals in cognitive dysfunction. One of the more popular ingredients in many of the products sold with such claims is Ginkgo biloba, and at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 1 Comment

Exercise in Puppies-Are there rules?

Posted on December 25, 2009 by skeptvet

There are many dogmatic opinions available from veterinarians, pet owners, breeders and others concerning a common question owners of new puppies have, How much exercise is ok for puppies? This is an especially pertinent question for owners of large breed … Continue reading →

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 27 Comments

Short and Sour–Politics & Fear Trump Evidence

Posted on December 18, 2009 by skeptvet

Much virtual ink has been spilled over the United Stated Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) breast cancer screening recommendations. Though I’ve written in general terms about the generally underappreciated complexity of screening tests and whether they are the unadulterated good … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Regulation, and Politics | 1 Comment

No CAM Degrees in Israel

Posted on December 17, 2009 by skeptvet

I stumbled across an article in the Israeli newspaper Haaraetz indicating that Council for Higher Education, the national accrediting body for higher education, has declined to permit complementary and alternative medicine programs to offer academic degrees. According to the article: … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Regulation, and Politics | Leave a comment

Why Incompatible CAM Theories Aren’t

Posted on December 16, 2009 by skeptvet

I am often struck by what I consider one of the great mysteries of CAM: how theories and approaches that are mutually inconsistent and incompatible are unified under the CAM umbrella without any apparent notice being taken of their mutually … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment